Video games have come a long way since those early days of 8-bit graphics. Gone are the days of having to use your imagination to fill in the gaps left behind by a jumble of fuzzy pixels. Modern game developers continue to push the boundaries, using advanced technology to create detailed environments and realistic character models that rival what you'd find on the big screen.
Nothing is left to the imagination. While several other factors will affect your overall gaming experience, stunning visuals certainly help to create an immersive world ripe for storytelling. For example, the first game on our list, Red Dead Redemption 2, got high praise worldwide for its visuals. So, if you want to experience this title to the fullest, we recommend checking out some awesome 240Hz monitors for your gaming den.
Here's a collection of some must-play games with visuals that are sure to take your breath away.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar Studios has a knack for creating some of the best digital environments around. Red Dead Redemption 2 is no different. This game was released for consoles in late 2018. However, a PC port came in November of 2019. It's the third entry into the Red Dead series and serves as a prequel to the previous title. Given the earlier game's popularity, there was a lot of hype for this title. Luckily, Rockstar did not disappoint.
From a design standpoint, the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is truly impressive. Not only does it look great, but it feels alive and lived in. Thanks to a powerful lighting engine and robust weather mechanics, there's always something new to see. You can spend hours just exploring the western environment on your trusty steed. While all of the character models and the environment provide plenty of realism, the animals deserve a special shoutout.
Rockstar actually used motion capture technology for the horses. This helped to capture every last detail about how the creature moves and looks, which only added to the stunning visuals.
Battlefield V
The Battlefield series has been around since the early 2000s. With every new iteration, the developers continue to push the visuals further. Battlefield V, which is available for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, uses the highly praised Frostbite 3 engine. This particular engine is capable of creating dynamic environments that change based on the player's actions. The developers took advantage of that technology in the worn-torn setting of Battlefield V. But that's not the coolest part of this game.
With an update in 2018, Battlefield V became one of the first major games to support ray tracing. Ray tracing is a graphics rendering technique that manipulates light across surfaces in real-time. How does that change the visuals? Well, it produces real-world lighting effects that were never possible before. You'll be able to see reflections against moving water and ambient lighting from your weapons during battle. It takes the visuals to a whole new level.
Photo by Aleks Dorohovich on Unsplash
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Breath of the Wild is a great example of how careful design can make up for a lack of power. The latest addition to The Legend of Zelda franchise is exclusive to the Nintendo Wii U and Switch. It acted as a launch title for the latter console.
The hybrid system is notoriously underpowered when compared to other consoles on the market and not even comparable to the capabilities of a PC. According to Nintendo, Breath of the Wild only runs at 900p and 30 FPS when hooked up to a TV.
With all that said, the game still looks beautiful. The developers ditched the idea of going with realistic graphics and took the series in a new direction. This game is a stark contrast to previous titles, adopting a distinct cel-shaded style.
Despite the somewhat cartoonish graphics, Nintendo has done a fine job of working with the limitations of the Switch. The open-world environment is vast, colorful, and filled with plenty of unique creatures to encounter.
Anthem
Anthem was released to PC, PS4, and Xbox One in early 2019. Despite the hype that was created prior to launch, the game never did live up to its potential. In fact, the sales were so disappointing that the developers are, allegedly, making big changes to the game for the future.
Even with all of the issues Anthem encounters after its launch, there's no denying that this is a beautiful game. Set in a fictional distant planet, Anthem is all about exploring the continuous open world around you. The digital environment is stunning and filled with some great elements that are worth your attention. Take a climb up to one of the world's highest points to take in the view.
Anthem manages to combine multiple genres into one, which contributes greatly to its awe-inspiring visuals. You have alien-like creatures, a world filled with natural formations, and high-tech exosuits. This juxtaposition works well and provides many opportunities to explore.
Like other recent EA titles, Anthem uses the Frostbite 3 engine. So, the environment will react to the things you do as you explore.
Bioshock: Infinite
When it comes to visuals, some games are praised for their technical feats. Others are revered for their originality. Bioshock: Infinite definitely falls into the latter category. The third installment in the Bioshock series was released in 2013. Graphical power has advanced significantly since then. However, Bioshock: Infinite is still considered to be one of the best-looking games to be released in the last decade.
What people love the most about this game, beyond the powerful story, is the setting. The Bioshock series is known for its unique settings. While the previous titles in the franchise were set in an underwater city, Infinite takes things to the sky. It's set in a floating city, called Columbia, with an iconic steampunk aesthetic.
While it's not an open-world environment, the developers made it feel as such. Expansive buildings, floating clouds, and vibrant sunsets make Columbia look like it could be a real place. Pair that with characters that appear to be pulled straight out of the early 1900s, and it's easy to immerse yourself into this world.
There are rumors that a new Bioshock game is in development. We can only hope that this new title will continue the series' tradition of producing breathtaking visuals.
Conclusion
While graphics aren't the most important thing a game can offer, they certainly help. It's the first thing gamers see and can make or break first impressions. As any of the games on this list will show you, high-quality graphics and a distinct art style will turn any game into one that's worthy of a screenshot.
(Banner photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash)
